Power Brands buy resilience. Not immunity

A deep dive in Reckitt Q1 2026

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC is in the final stages of a major structural overhaul. Since Kris Licht took over as Chief Executive Officer, the company has worked to move away from its identity as a sprawling conglomerate, narrowing its operations to focus on the health and hygiene sectors. As of April 2026, Reckitt has largely divested its non-core home essentials business. The company currently faces a challenging macroeconomic environment, marked by erratic seasonal demand and a complex, high-stakes litigation situation in North America concerning infant formula. This report examines the performance of the last year, assesses the core drivers of profitability, and compares Reckitt to its primary competitors in the consumer goods market.